ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — Adams County Sheriff Gene Claps said the detention facility is falling apart, and 9NEWS is getting an exclusive look at some of the problems.
“A decaying building is not something anybody expects,” said Sheriff Claps. “We have to do something and unfortunately, we're to that point where something has to be done soon.”
Sheriff Claps said maintaining the current facility costs tens of millions of dollars. “We’re talking tens of millions of dollars every year for Band-Aids,” he said.
They're dealing with things such as mold, water contamination, and sewer infrastructure issues that could pose health and safety concerns for both staff and inmates. The sheriff said building a new jail in a different location would fix all their problems and be more cost-effective.
County leaders discussed the possibility of increasing property taxes to help pay for a new jail. The plan was to put the question on the 2024 ballot and let the voters decide, but they recently scratched that plan. Instead, county leaders said they’re going to use this time to educate voters on the issues happening with the jail. The question could come up again in 2026, but Sheriff Claps worries they’ll be throwing away money if they wait that long.
“The only direction that we can go here is to continue to go downhill,” said Sheriff Claps. “Regardless of how much patching or how many Band-Aids we put on this problem; it's not going to correct it until something actually gets done.”
In a 2023 structural analysis report by RD3, Inc., inspectors found abandoned wastewater lines under the jail, blocked vents, and damage from past plumbing leaks.
“We have had numerous sewer line breaks underneath the building because of decaying parts and material,” said Sheriff Claps.
Claps said rainwater and snowmelt also create pools around the property and leaks in the roof drip right into inmate cells. He said cinderblocks lining jail cells are crumbling, making it easy for inmates to dig holes with their hands.
“To give you an idea of the moisture in the building and walls, the door jams are rotting and rusting,” said Claps. “We can't keep sustaining the condition that we're in because [the building] is deteriorating quicker than what we expected.”
The 2023 structural report shows inspectors found mold and corrosion in crawl spaces throughout the building.
“We have a floor that started to decay and collapse in our kitchen area,” said Sheriff Claps. “This is not an ideal thing.
According to the report, the jail’s foundation is stable and some of the issues are typical wear and tear for a 40-year-old structure, but it also says a lack of ventilation is causing higher-than-normal moisture levels.
"As County Commissioners, we are deeply aware of the serious and deteriorating conditions at the jail,” said Adams County Commissioner Emma Pinter in a statement to 9NEWS. “The safety and security of our employees, inmates, and the public remain our highest priority. Addressing these challenges will be a multi-year effort, and we are committed to exploring all available options to repair or replace the facility. Community input will be crucial in finding the best solutions, and we look forward to working closely with Sheriff Gene Claps, whose dedication to this serious issue is greatly appreciated. Together, we will move forward toward a solution that ensures the well-being of everyone involved."
A spokesperson for the county said that based on the recommendations of the 2023 structural report, Adams County has taken the following actions:
- Procured a modular freezer and cooler that have been installed outside of the kitchen area.
- Ceased usage of the existing kitchen Cooler and Freezer identified in the report and limited usage of the area.
- Installed a crawlspace access hatch to enable structural repairs.
- Retained a structural engineer to design temporary shoring for the floor below the Cooler and Freezer area.
- Procured an abatement company to mitigate mold within the crawlspace.
- Procured a construction contractor to install the temporary shoring.
The mold mitigation in the crawlspace area below the kitchen is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed by September 20, 2024. Once we have air monitoring clearances of the crawlspace, the shoring of the kitchen floor will begin. The shoring is anticipated to be complete by November 2024.
The shoring is considered a temporary fix, but it will stabilize the kitchen floor until a permanent structural fix can be completed. The permanent repair of the structure and floor is anticipated to be completed in March 2025.